Pessary



(No Model.)

M. M. WARMOTH.

PESSARY.

No. 328,553. PatentedOct. .20, 1885.

UNITED STATES PATENT UEEICE,

MADISON M. \VARMOTH, OF BRANDENBURG, KENTUCKY.

PESSARY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 328,553, dated October 20, 1885.

Application filed March 3, 1885. Seiial N0. 157 654. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, MAmsoN M. WAR- MOTH, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Brandenburg, in the county of Meade and State of Kentucky,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pessaries, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad therein to the ac companying drawings.

Various and numerous have been the contrivances devised for the treatment of prolapsus uterithe falling of the womb or uterusnone of which,however, discloses the characteristics of the contrivance forming the subject of this application, the same being a highly flexible and elastic support, consisting of a spring-metal wire or body inclosed in a rubber tubing and coiled a number of times from a base, the coils contracting toward one (the upper) end, forming a truncated cone, whereby the previously-fallen womb is restored to its normal position and there re tained, to enable the debilitated or distended ligaments thus relieved of a strain or tension to recuperate and regain their former vigor and healthy condition,resulting in aeure. Should the appliance, however, only eflect the mere supporting of the womb and not elevate or return it to its original position, it is obvious that the difficulty will still remain,- hence it is necessary that the appliance be so disposed as to rest at its base upon the soft parts within the vagina, while its upper end supports the uterus or womb; and with this end in view my invention has been accordingly contrived as just pointed out.

In the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate my invention in two sizes, with parts broken away.

In the embodiment of my invention as above outlined, I employ or make use of a piece of spring-metal wire or body, A, which is preferably cylindric in cross-section, and inelose the same, to prevent contact with the flesh,in a rubber tubing or easing,B, the latter extending beyond the ends of the wire or body A, and being closed to isolate said ends of wire also from contact with the flesh by binding the ends of said tubing or easing with twine or other suitable means. While the spring-wire forms a highly flexible and elastic body or support, yielding readily to the action of the parts, thus avoiding any injury or discomfort to the body of the wearer, the rubber tubing or casing serves as a cushion to prevent irritation of or contact with the soft parts or womb. The wire, with its tubing or casing, is coiled a number of times from its lower end or base, say of two and ahalfinches in diameter, said coils gradually contracting to its upper end to, say, one and a half inch, the extreme upper end of the topmost coil being curved inward about centrally of said latter coil, as at a, thus forming,with said latter coil, 2. direct support for the uterus or womb, when placed in position, as will be explained further on.

To use the contrivance or pessary, it is disposed sidewise to the orifice of the vagina, and, after compressing,inserted and passed in to the same in its compressed condition, and then turned or so arranged as that its base or greater-part will rest upon the soft parts just above the orifice, thus presenting its smaller or contracted end or crown upward, toward and against the uterus or womb, whereupon it will be seen that by the reaction of the previously-compressed coils of the pessary or appliance, acting as springs, the fallen womb or uterus will be elevated or returned to its normal or primary position, thus removing strain or tension from the debilitated or distended ligaments, by reason of which the womb or uterus had fallen, whereby said ligaments are permitted to recuperate and regain their former vigor and healthy condition or action, resulting in a cure.

It will be thus seen that the uterus or womb is not merely supported so as to leave it in its fallen or a partially-fallen position and the ligaments distended, as the case with the use of an old form of pessary, but that, in addition to supporting the womb or uterus, it is also returned or elevated to its former or normal position, which, as before explained, is requisite to remedy the evil. It will be also noticed that the pessary or appliance is entirely free from any and all appendages or contrivances depending therefrom for its insertion, and which, on removal, as previous experience with the use of this class of appliances as heretofore constructed has proven, are exceedingly annoying and objectionable. Besides the advantages before adduced,with

the use of this pessary the wearer is free to assume any position of which the body is capable without it,the same,however,"not being required to be worn when the body is in a recumbent position, as after retiring to bed, when it may be readily removed, as will be presently described. Neither does this pessary or appliance require any additional means, as do those of other patterns, to 'effeet its removal from the body, to prevent its displacement, or to retain it in position therein, being adapted in itself to those (the latter) euds,as is apparent from its construction,having a laterally pressing case r and sides by reason of its reactive properties due to the action of the spring metal of which it is mainly composed. It being formed in coils, it is obvious that by catching hold of the lower or any one of these and gently shifting the pessary around, so as to again permit of its compression, it can be readily withdrawn.

The pessary A. of smaller size or less height, is for use when the uterus or womb may be inflamed or sore.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A cone-shaped pessary consisting of a springinetal body inclosed in a rubber tubing,and

formed into coils contracting or tapered to ward the upper end, for supporting the uterus or womb, and its lower ends adapted to rest upon the soft parts within the vagina. substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MADISON M. WARMOTH.

Witnesses:

I. \V. LEWIS, DAVID R. MURRAY. 

